Sun Life Financial Trust Inc., a member of the Sun Life Financial group of companies, announced today that it has signed an agreement with Berkshire Investment Group Inc. and Berkshire Securities Inc., to launch the Berkshire Premium Program.

The Program will start at the beginning of October and will be available through Berkshire financial advisors in conjunction with Sun Life Financial Trust.

Under the terms of the non-exclusive agreement, Berkshire financial advisors will solicit applications for a variety of Sun Life Financial Trust products white-labelled for Berkshire. The products include: high interest savings and chequing accounts; debit card capabilities; overdraft protection; lines of credit; mortgage services and other financial products. The agreement also includes the provision of other third-party financial services and products to Berkshire.

“This agreement with Berkshire demonstrates our strategic commitment to provide private-labelled financial services products and services to the advisor community,” said Tom Gregoriades, president, Sun Life Financial Trust Inc. “As a result, our expanded product distribution capability, along with our customer-centric support facilities, enable the advisor community to bring added value to the client/advisor relationship.”

“The Berkshire Premium Program includes a complete financial program for Berkshire clients’ everyday needs, combining high interest earning accounts, borrowing power and interest savings, flexible account access and fast, convenient, customer service,” said Frank Laferriere, Berkshire’s chief financial officer.

According to the companies, the Berkshire Premium Program client card is a safe and convenient alternative to cash. The client card can be used at thousands of ATM’s to withdraw cash and at over 300,000 retailers to pay for purchases, wherever Interac direct payment is accepted.

The new Berkshire Premium Rate Account is a premium savings and chequing account that allows the Berkshire client to earn interest on every dollar in their chequing account, everyday. The interest rate compares favourably to some financial institutions’ fixed term deposits, but doesn’t require the client to keep money locked in.